Flexible band or linkage



Jan. 16, 1934. c. H. KESTENMAN FLEXIBLE BAND OR LINKAGE Filed Jan. 5, 1952 Patented Jan. l6, 1934 PATENT OFFICE FLEXIBLE BAND R LINKAGE Charles -H. Kestenman, Providence, R. 1., assignor to Kestenman Bros. Mfg. 00., Providence, it. 1., a corporation of Rhode Island Application January 5, 1932. Serial No. 584,813 2 Claims. (01. se-sn This invention relates to improvements in flexible bands, chains or linkages for use as articles of jewelry, such as bracelets, wrist-watch straps, necklaces, girdles and the like.

One object of the invention is to provide an 5 improved articleoi manufacture for the purpose specified comprising articulated links or chainelements which are adapted to flex, one in relation to another.

an improved linkage wherein the articulated linkelements are expansible through the resilient action of means enclosed therein so that the mechanical structure is concealed from view and protected from disorganization. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved linkage in which the links are proof against breakage or I accidental disconnection, whereby to render the article in which they are incorporated strong and durable in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved linkage having articulated link-elements flexibly and resiliently joined together without the use of pivot-pins, rivets, screws or the like, and without requiring soldering at the joints.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved linkage employing links of a sim plifled construction, adapted for economical manufacture from sheet-metal and capable of being rapidly assembled without particular skill or expertness or the use of tools.

Another object oi. the invention is to provide an improved-linkage for the purpose specified which is ornamental in appearance to enhance 4 the artistic effect and attractiveness of the-article in which it is incorporated.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred embodiment of the invention, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing: 4

1 is a perspective view of a flexible strap, band or chain embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of several of the links of the strap, band or chain, showing the relation of the parts when the linkage is contracted to normal length, and with one of the outer links illustrated in section to reveal the resilient member enclosed therein;

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved linkage inwhich the connected ele- Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a. portion of the linkage taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the linkage expanded in length;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the linkage-taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one of the 69 main links and the connecting means therefor taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

My improved band, chain or linkage consists in general of a series of main chain-elements or links 2 which may be of rectangular or other 05 shape adapted to have their ends joined by intermediate connecting elements 3. In accordance with one feature of the invention the connecting ele1.ents 3 are constructed of two cooperating. parts or complementary members adapted for W convenient assembly with the ends of the main links 2 by simply clasping them together thereon. Resilient means, such as the springs 4, may be positioned in the elements 3 to act against the end bars of the members 2 to normally maintain W the latter in contractedrelationship while allowing them to slide longitudinally to adapt the complete linkage to be extended or expanded in length.

As herein shown the main link-elements 2 are W of open form usually as employed in bracelets of the so-called slave type. The main links 2' may comprise parallel side bars 5 connected at their ends by cross-members or end bars 6 or they may be of any other suitable configuration. The side 3% bars 5 are preferably arched or rounded OH on the top and sides to provide a smooth finish. The end bars 6 are slightly thinner in cross-section than the side bars 5 so that the overlying portions of the connecting links 3 will not project W above the top of the main links 2.

The-longitudinal bars 5 of the links 2 are pro vided on their inner sides with laterally projecting guiding fins 7 for guiding the connecting links 3 in the manner and for-the purpose as later explained, the fins 7 being of the same thickness as the end bars 6, see Figs. 3 and 5.- The fins 7 extend along the side bars 6 a suitable distance to provide bearings on which the ends of the 0 connecting elements 3 slide when the linkage is 10 expanded in length, that is, when extended longitudinally against the action of the springs 4 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

As one feature of improvement, mentioned, the connecting elements 3 are constructed in two complemental parts adapted for economical manufacture and held together by a novel and ingenious arrangement as next described. As herein illustrated, one member 10 01 110 previously each connecting element 3 consists of a flat strip having its ends bent or curled over in arcuate contour to provide hooks 11 adapted to snap into engagement with similarly formed hooks 16 at the ends of the complementary upper member 15. One of the hooks 11 on the member 10 is reduced in width as at 12 to adapt it to slide between the edges of the fins 7 on the inner sides of the main link 2, see Fig. 6.

The upper member 15 of each connecting elernent 3 is similarly constructed with a flat top and depending end books or catches 16 of arcuate contour adapted to snap over the upstanding hooks 11 on the member 10 when the parts are assembled in connected relationship with the main links 2. One of the end hooks 16 of the member 15 is reduced in width at 17 and its cut-away portion cooperates with the similar cut-away portion 12 of the opposite hook 11 to form openings or guiding slots 14 through which the guides I slide.

To assemble the parts of the linkage the bottom member 10 is placed upon a flat surface with its hooks 11 extending upwardly and the opposite end bars 6 of a pair of the main links 2 are positioned in overlying relation thereacross. In this relationship the guides or fins '1 of one of the links 2 will straddle the narrowed end of the reduced hook-portion 11. A coiled wire spring a is placed within the member 10 with one of its ends bearing against the inner side of the hookportion 11 and its opposite end engaging the side of the end bar 6 of the link 2. It will be observed by reference to Figs. 3 and 5 that the links 2 are reversely positioned with respect to the member 10. That is to say, the right-hand link 2, as viewed in Fig. 3, has its guides Z straddling the reduced hook-portion ll at one end of the member 10 to render it slidable thereon, while the left-hand link 2 is relatively fixed with respect thereto with its end bar 6 abutting against the hook 11 at the opposite end of the member 10.

The upper complementary member 15 is next clasped to the lower member 10 to form the complete connecting link 3. This is accomplished by placingthe member 15 over the member 10 and pressing it downwardly to cause its hooks or catches 16 to snap over the upturned hooks 11 on the member 10. When thus connected the lower ends of the hooks 16 on the member 15 extend below the center of the hooks 11 on the member 10 to securely clasp therearound. In

\ this manner a practically permanent joinder of the parts is secured to resist any strain or stress to which the linkage maybe subjected in use. Any desired number of link-elements may be connected in this manner and when finally assembled the springs 4 are entirely enclosed and prevented from lateral displacement by the fins '7.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, the main links 2 are normally maintained in closed or contracted relationship with their end bars 6 abutting under the action of the springs 4. When the linkage is'used as a Wrist-watch bracelet it is capable of being extended in length to slip over the hand of the wearer and thereafter to con-.

tract to snugly fit the wrist. For this purpose the main links 2 are adapted to slide relatively of one another to provide for the expansion. When the links 2 are slid apart longitudinally in the manner as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 their guides or fins 7 slide in the guiding grooves 14 formed in the overlapped ends of the connecting links 3 as the springs 4 are compressed. The engagement of the guides 7 with the notched ends of the connecting elements 3 acts to restrain the links 2 from canting or rocking laterally and thus prevents distortion of the linkage. Upon the tension on the bracelet being released the springs 4 act to retract the end bars 6 of the links 2 within the connecting elements 3 to contract the linkage to adapt'it to fit snugly around the wrist.

Preferably, a slight clearance is provided between the end bars 6 oi the main links 3 and the top and bottom sides of the connecting elements 3 so that the several links may be tilted or canted with respect to each other and the complete link age flexed or bent into substantially circular form as indicated in Fig. 1.

It will be observed from the foregoing that present invention provides a novel and ingenious construction of flexible band, chain or linkage tor use in articles of jewelry such as bracelets, wristwatch straps, necklaces, girdles and the like. The connecting elements or the linkage comprise two cooperating members adapted to to join the ends or": the main links of the chain or linkage, resilient means may be enclosed therein to hold the whole series of links in contracted relationship while permitting the linkage to be extended in length. In other cases the springs 41 may be omitted and the connecting elements made 05. less length to join the main links to adapt them to flex, one with respect to another, but without the expansible feature.

If it is required to shorten or lengthen the be made by the user without requiringthe assistv ance of a skilled artisan.

The elements of the present improved linkage may be stamped from. sheet-metal at economical cost and the parts assembled conveniently and expeditiously with very little hand work. In assembling the parts of the linkage the main 2 are first brought into association with the hooked ends of the bottom connecting members 10. The springs 4 are next positioned therein and the The springs 4 are next positioned therein and the other connecting members 15 clasped to the, members 10 by merely pressing them thereover until their catches snap over the end hooks thereof. No soldering operation is necessary and no skilliul hand work is required as is the case where pins, rivets. screws or other such holding means are employed as common in the art.

The improved linkage is particularly strong and durable in use and the finished article is more artistic in appearance than similar devices of the prior art since its mechanical structure is entirely concealed from view. The link-elements may be suitably embossed, engraved or otherwise embellished on their surfaces to further enhance the appearance and attractivens's of the article.

While I have herein shown and described the invention as embodied in a preferred form of construction, various modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit or scope or the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. A. band, chain orlinkage comprising a plurality of loop-shaped links, certain of said links being constituted by two opposite complementary parts having arcuatte portions at both ends adapted to snap one over the other in interengagmg relationship to effect a unitary element for connection withother links in the series.

2. A band, chain or linkage comprising a. plurnlity of links, certain of said links constructed 

